Academy Lead Performance Coach

Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in League One, the third tier of English Football, and is now under the management of recently appointed Head Coach Paul Warne. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014. Derby County is embarking on an exciting new era following the recent change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.

Derby County Football Club are seeking to recruit an experienced individual to join its Academy Performance team at Moor Farm Training Centre.

The successful candidate will manage, co-ordinate and organise the Academy Performance programme (U9-U21) through the provision of footballs best Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning support. Working closely with and under the support of the Senior Performance Coach, the Academy Lead Performance Coach will add value and objectivity to the Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) plan, identifying the needs, necessary interventions and solutions throughout all age groups. The Academy Lead Performance Coach will also be solely responsible for the delivery of athletic development programming to the U21 team, offering the best professional care and guidance to each of those players within that age group.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the Academy Performance programme and manage direct reports accordingly.
• Carry out effective regular appraisals/reviews with direct reports.
• Work with/under the Senior Performance Coach to manage/run the Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) plan to players aged 9 to 21.
• To take the lead in the implementation of Academy Sport Science and Strength and Conditioning strategies under the authority of the Head of Football Development & Performance.
• Work in conjunction with the Club’s Nutritionist and Chef to develop nutritional strategies for age groups to promote performance nutrition.
• Lead and supervise the Academy Performance student placements, ensuring they receive the best experience and education Derby County Football Club can offer.
• Work closely with the Academy Head of Medicine to optimize recovery processes and return to play performance.
• Organise and be responsible for all the Academy individual and team performance testing. This includes but is not limited to; on-field assessments, weight room strength/power profiling, Anthropometric/Maturation monitoring, necessary Physiological testing etc.
• The delivery of all Athletic Development services to the U21 team.
• Work with the wider medical team, to provide an integrated approach to performance enhancement.
• Note and record the progress and development of each Academy Player under the Sports Science and Medicine Programme in his Performance Review and Performance Clock.
• To record Strength & Conditioning sessions on the PMA in accordance with EPPP criteria.
• Plan and timetable the gym schedule for Academy players.
• Recognize the individual needs of all Academy players from regular testing/profiling to ensure every academy player follows the full academy physical syllabus.
• Understand how to safely maximise the resources available at Derby County Football Club with particular reference to recovery and regeneration sessions.
• Provide Athletic Development education and in-service training to Academy coaching staff.
• Assist the Medical team, when necessary, in the delivery of athletic rehabilitation to injured players.
• Participate in key topic research to provide clinical based evidence for current and new sports science and conditioning practices.
• To educate Academy players and their parents/guardians through planned structured sessions.
• Recognise the importance of CPD for personal development and the development of others within the department.
• To attend briefings, courses and seminars as required by the Club, The Premier League, and The Football League and commit to undertake Continued Professional Development.
• Keep abreast of current research and the latest developments in Sports Science and Strength and Conditioning practice.
• To demonstrate consistent high standards of behaviour and to operate within the parameters of the Laws of the Game, the Rules of the Football Association or the Rules of the FA Premier League.

Essential Personal characteristics and experience:

• Previous experience in providing Strength and Conditioning support to players, athletes or coaches to improve performance.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating strength and conditioning programmes.
• Knowledge of and ability to construct strength, power and endurance-based training programmes, both gym and field based.
• Knowledge of and ability to coach and integrate football skills and techniques into strength and conditioning sessions where deemed appropriate
• Ability to implement innovative ideas, problem solve, make decisions and work under pressure within strict time-frames
• Good IT skills with the ability to use computer-based programmes to fulfil the role of the job
• Recent and relevant experience in a professional sports performance environment
• Documented evidence of CPD
• Previous postgraduate experience in professional sport

Essential Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Sports Science (or other relevant discipline)
• UKSCA accreditation or industry recognized equivalent ie ASCA.
• BASES accreditation (or working towards)
• Commit to any other EPPP/League qualification or training requirements identified as being necessary for the job role

Desirable Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Sports Science (or other relevant discipline)

Salary is dependent on experience.

The roll is full time, 35 hours per week based at Moor Farm Training Centre.

Derby County employee benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Two complimentary staff season tickets
• Two complimentary staff away memberships
• 20% discount at DCFC Megastore
• Company Pension with Aviva
• Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors
• Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts
• Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’
• Training and development opportunities
• Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust
• Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm

Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.

Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.